Head lamp mounting



Dec. 16, 1941'. H. c. MEAD E-rAl.

I HEAD LAMP MOUNTING (BALL AND SOCKET) 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 27, 1959 y Dec. y16, 1941. H. c.MEAD ErAL 2,266,329

n HEAD .LAMP` MOUNTING (BALL ANIT SOCKET) 'A Filed July 27, 1959 4 sheets-sheet 2' :inventors Dec. 16, 1941. H. c. MEAD ETAL v 2,265,329

I HEAD LAMP MOUNTING (BALL AND SOCKET)l Filed July 27, l1959 4 sheets-sheet s Zinnentors 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 16, 1941. H; MEAD Erm.

HEAD LAMP MOUNTING; (BALLv AND SOCKET) Filed July 2v, k1939 Patented Dec. 16, 1941 HEAD LAMP MOUNTING .(BALL AND SOCKET) l Y Howard C. Mead and Robert D. Winkehneyer,

Anderson, Ind., assignors to General Motors V Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application July 2.7, 1939, Serial No. 286,820

9 Y Claims.`

This invention has todo with vmountings for lamp units consisting of reflector, lens and light source, such as are commonly used in automobile headlamps. Such units, when permanently sealed against entrance'of dust, are commonly referred to as package lamps.

According to one form of construction, features of which are described and claimed in the copending application of Robert N. Falge Serial No. 286,819 filed July 27, 1939, the package lamp consists ofA a metal reector and lens permanently connected by al sealing ring, with a gasket interposed between the reflector and lens, and a light source in the form of an incandescent lamp sealed in the reflector. Anotherform of package lamp,V known as the all-glass unit, consists'of a glass reector and lens integrally joined, a lilament or filaments `being sealed within the reflector.,

`In the mounting of such units for use in modern automobiles it is necessary to provide for-adjustment permitting the proper aiming of` the unit both up and downl and sidewise. According to ther present invention this adjustment is made possible by employing a ball and socket type of universal joint. The package lamp itself, or in combination with a member which it is mounted, constitutes the ball assembly of the joint which is adjustably secured in a socket fixed in the lamp housing or in an aperturev in the automobile fender or body panel. Springs are provided yieldingly holding the ball assembly` inA the socket, and adjusting means is provided for tilting the ball assembly uprand down or side-v wise in the socket.

. According to the preferred embodiment ofthe invention the package lamp is clamped inran assembly consistingof a member having. a ballshaped surface by means of a suitable clamping ring, the whole constituting the ball assembly.

This assembly is .then securedfin the-socketby means of. springs and adjusting Adevices aspreviously described. f A suitable .bezel-is provided,

the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawingsin' which: .i

(Cl. ,M0-41.5)

withgthe package lamp in' place but with the finish ring removed.

Figure 5 is a similar view with the package lamp'removed and the lamp mounting removed from its support.

Figure 6 isa fragmentary view of a portion of the clamping'ring which holds the package lamp in the mounting.

Figure l is a fragmentary section on line 1-1 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 'is a fragmentary section on line 8--8Y e of Figure 4. f

Figure 9 is a vertical section through a modified form of mounting.

' Figure 10 is a similar section through a further modification.

V- Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional View corresponding to the top of Figure 10 but showing a modified construction. n n

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line |2-|2 of Figure 11.`v v f The package lamp illustrated is one of the type describedV and claimedY in the said Falge application Serial No. 286,819, consisting of a lens V| 0 I reflector |02,-sealing ring |04 and bulb |08. After being ladjusted to vproperly position the filament With'respe'ct to the focus of the reflector the bulb is secured in the reflector in any suitable manner as'by solder |09. A gasket, not shown, is interposed betWeentheleDs andv reflector. This type of unit possesses the advantage that the reflector is sealed against the entrance of dust and moisture and retains its reectng eiciency throughout/substantially'the entire life of the filaments. While this type of package lamp is shown, the mounting herein disclosed is equally useful with other types of lunits such as the all glass package lamp illustrated in Figures 9'and 10.'

` The sealing ring Oli-,which is preferably made as' a.' die casting, isfprovided with unequally spaced steppedlugs ||4 comprising locating pro- Bulb |08\.is provided with terminals I to which current is supplied through a suitable connector [I3-and wires H1..

Y ,K lindicates the lamp support Whlchmay be either. a conventional headlamp housing as shown or a fender or body panel apertured to receive the lamp assembly.

I indicates a cup-shaped stamping iitted in an opening in the lamp support and secured to the support by any suitable means. In the construction illustrated contacting flanges 9 and II on the support and stamping, respectively, are welded together.

Stamping IIJ consists as shown of a central cup-shaped portion having a rolled brim I3 surrounded by an annular channel I on the outer periphery of which is formed the angev Il.

Within the channel I5 at one side and at the top are secured Z-shaped stampings 39; the outer surfaces of which are provided with threaded aper-` tures to receive adjusting screws I 1.

Within the cup I0 is seated a stamping I2 constituting a ball cooperating with cup I0 to provide a universal joint. Ball member I2 is pro' vided with spaced outwardly pressed ribs 2 I -which rest against the rolled brim I 3 of the cup IU, thereby providing a' universal ball and socket joint.

` The ball member I2 is provided with an irregular peripheral4 flange I9 and at the top and at one side theflange is slotted as indicated at 29 to engage grooves 42| in adjusting screws I1 as best shown in Figure '7. Attention is called to the fact that the grooves 42 I` have'bevelled edges andthe bevels are of such angles as to permit movement of the ball I2 to any angle necessary for aiming.

Within the channel I5 at the bottom and at the side opposite one adjusting screw I1 are secured stampings' I6 which serve as anchorages for coil springs I8, the other ends of which are hooked in apertures in the periphery of the ball member I2.

Four springs are provided, two at the bottom and.

two at one side, and these are arranged at an angle in order to get the strong spring action desired.

Within the ban member lz is seated the package,

lamp previously described with the projections I I5 of its stepped lugs I I4 seated in openings 43 in thev periphery of the member I2. The steps in the lugs hold the package lamp spaced from the periphery of the stamping I2 thereby giving three point support and permitting the package lamp to readily nd its seat., s Y Y The package lamp is held in place by means of clamping ring 870 having an out-turnedY ilange 8|v secured to the flange I9 of the stamping I2 by means of threaded fasteners 1 9. The flange of the clamping ring 80 instead of being provided with apertures to receive fasteners 10 is preferably provided with circumferential slots or notches 1I so that by unscrewing fasteners 10 clamping ring 89 maybe slightly rotated to release it from the fasteners so that it can then be read.`

ily removedA thereby permitting removalpf the package lamp. n e s Finish ring 41 is provided at the top with a tang 5I engaging in aligned apertures in the flanges 9 and I'I of *cup I0 and housing 40 and is provided at its lowerjend with a fastener 23` havingV threaded engagement with stamping riveted to 6 the outer radial flange of the cup II). Attention is called to the fact thatthe inner periphery of finish-ring 41 engages support 40, making a neat joint.

Finish ring 41 has its edges inturned'and within the outer end of the channel so formed is-secured a rubber sealinggasket 6I havingA a slot Within which is received one edge of an annular metal stffeninsstrip 63, theA other edge of which is engaged by spaced` Urshaped .clips made of-v 5 as to assist in holding it in place, as best shown in Figure 1.

With the parts assembled it is apparent that to adjust the aim of the lamp it is necessary to first remove the finish ring 41 by unscrewing fastener l0 23. Thereafter the vertical aim may be adjusted Vby turning the upper aiming screw I1 and the horizontal aim may be adjusted by turning the side adjusting screw I1. Such adjustment is res isted by the Springs I8 which continually urge l5 the balleshaped stamping I2 into its socket member I9. In practice it will probably prove desirable to apply special look nuts for the adjusting screws I1, these lock nuts being xed to the members 3U so as to prevent their turning.

20 If it is desired to remove the package lamp it is but necessary to unloosen fasteners 10, slightly rotate and then remove clamp ring and then lift out the Vlamp. The connector 1I may be readily removed from the lamp terminals.

25 In the modications shown in Figures 9 andi() the package lamp illustrated is of the all glass type consisting of lens IUI and reflector |02 integrally joined together forming aA housing vfor the iilaments,V not shown.

According'to the construction shown in Figure 9 the lamp housingor other support 40' is apertured to receive the headlamp mounting as before and is provided about its periphery with an annuler groove 202 and en nturned flange 294.V Toth@ iniilmedange there is .secured by bolts 205 or other sntable means a cup member 206 within which is seated .ball member 208 forming a universal ball and socket vjoint therewith. To the inner end of ball member 208 is secured by suit- 4P? able fasteners ZIIS'l anannnlor element 2m.

Coil SDlirlseZfl Loi. which. .one only .is shown. are provided at top .and one side ofthe assembly and tend t0 yieldnsly .urge t e ball member 2.0.8 into the C119 member 2.9.6. AS Shown at the top of Figure 9,

45': tense. 214cm pressed .out of the parts to locate theY Springs.. et the bottom and opposite side the ball mmber 211.8., iS. held the socket by means of adjustllgbrews 29.9 having threaded engage,- nfleli. 1091i', nuts. Z!! secured in openings in 50i tbea-pee .of the cup member 206. The package lamp Yis secured in, the ball member 208. with its Hanse resting on gasket ZIB seated on Iiange 218 011, Vthe ball member 2.0.8. Clamping ring 220 en-Y gages the outer. surface of'Y the flange of the packe 5.51- age lamp and fastening devices, such as threaded fasteners 222, secure the clamping ring, to the ball member.

Any suitablemeans may be provided to give a nishedfappearance to then front of the lamp.

6.0 Thereis. illustrated a contracting band typer of bezel. 22.6.. havngits outer roundedledge seated in groove 20.2 in the support .40. VIrithe ybezel 2.26.15 fitted.4 pishrine 22B. a gasket 23.0 Vof rub. ber orother suitable material beine-provided be v51 tween themto prevent. rattling Or, if desired.

the gasket 230` may be vulcanized Or otherwise securedv tothe, bezel aridnish ring to hold them improper relation.. Y

" In the. 'modification shown in FigureA 1.0 the 7:Ofball-"sh'aped member is dispensed' with and the Y package lamp `seats directly in the cup to ,afford the desired universal adjustment. I -Iere 40 indicates thels'upport and'30 0 the cup member secured in the opening vin the supportv in the same manner: asin'the. form rst described'. The peripheral flangeof the package unit is clamped betweenthe rings-302 and 304, a resilient gasket 305 being interposed toprevent injury to ther package lamp. AClamping ring 304 has a peripheral flange,

to one side ortheother as maybe necessary'forY aiming. As in the forms previously described, a bezel 312 is mounted on the housing 40 in any suitable manner to give tothe assembly a iinished appearance.

)In the modification shown in Figure 1l the mounting of Figure is employed with a conventional assembly of lens and reflector instead of with a package lamp. Here 400 indicates the reflector having its outer periphery grooved at 402 to receive gasket 404 which may be of rubber. The gasket is shown as of hollow construction to increase its resiliency. 406 indicates a conventional lens. The reflector 400 is detachably secured to clamp ring 408 bymeans of resilient fasteners 4l0 having U-shaped portions 410 snapping through aligned apertures in the clamp member 408 and in the reflector as best shown in Figure l2. The gasket 404 is then inserted in position as shown and the lens 40B isv engaged with it whereupon the assembly may be held together by means of clamping ring 4I2 secured to clamping ring 408 by'suitable bolts 4|4 or the like. The reflector is, of course, provided with the usual detachable bulb and the assembly of reflector and lens, clamped'together as above described, may bernounted in the same manner as shown in Figure 10; that is, by means of pins 308 extending through aligned apertures in the outer flange of clamping ring 408 and in the socket member 300 which is secured in the lamp housing 40am the manner previously described. 352 indicates the -bezel or iinish ring concealing the joints between the parts. Adjusting devices,`

such as shown at 310 in Figure l0, may be provided to tilt the reflector and lens for aiming, as described in connection with the preceding form, it being understood, of course, that the reector 400 seats in the socket member 300 in the same manner as does the reflector |02 of the package lamp shown in Figure l0.

lThe form of the invention shown in Figure 11 l. The combination of a lighting unit comprising a reflector, lens and light source within the reflector, and a mounting therefor comprising a cup-shaped member extending over the reflector and having a spherical seating surface having its center substantially on the reilector axis, a ring overlapping the front edge of the unit, means for securing` the. ring to the Ycup-shined member and clamping the unit; between them toform asubassembly, ya. support ;for the subassembly having an annular seat within whichthe spherical seatingsurface of.; the cup-shaped member is engaged to provide' a universal`joint-,;means yieldingly urging'y the subassembly into engagement with the supoprt at one side and adjustable means connecting thef subassembly'and the support at the other side to permit aiming of the lighting unit. l

2. The combination of a lighting unit comprising arreflector,v lens and ylight source within the refiector, and va mountingtherefor comprising a cup-shaped memberextending over the reilector and having a spherical seating surface having its centerj substantiallyon the reflector axis, a rring overlapping the front edge of the unit, means for securing the ring to the cup-shaped member and clamping the unit between them to form a subassembly, a support for the subassembly having an annular seat Within which the spherical seating surface of the cup-shaped member is engaged toprovideauniversal ijoint, means yieldingly urging thel subassembly into engagement with the support at one side, adjustable means connecting the'subassemblyand the Ysupport at the other side to permit-.aiming 01:V the lighting unit, said yielding means comprising a pair of tension springshaving one pair of ends` adjacent each other and the other pair spaced apart to steady the unit in place.

3. The combination of a lighting unit comprising a reiiector,v lens and light source within the reiiector, and a mounting therefor comprising a cup-shaped member extending over the reector and having `a spherical seating surface having its `centerl substantially on the reflector axis, a ringkoverlapping the front edge of the unit, means for securing rthe ring to the cupshaped member land clamping the unit between them to form a subassembly, a support for the subassembly having an annular seat *within which, the spherical seating surface of the cupshaped vmember is engaged toprovide a universal joint,means yieldingly urging the subassembly into engagementwith the1 support at one side, adjustable means connecting the subassembly and the support at the other side to permit aiming of the lighting unit, said spherical seating surface being interrupted to reduce the area of contact with the seat and prevent binding.

4. The combination of a lighting unit comprising a reflector,;lens and light source within the reector, anda mounting therefor comprising a cup-shaped ,member extending over the reflector and having a. spherical seating surface having its center substantiallyon the reflector axis, a ring Voverlapping-the front edge of `the unit, means for securing the ring to the cup-shaped member and clamping the unit between them to form a subassembly, a support for the subassembly having an annular seat within which the spherical seating surface of the cup-shaped member is engaged to provide a universal joint, means yieldingly urging the subassembly into engagement With the support at one side, adjustable means connecting the subassembly and the support at the other side to permit aiming of the lighting unit, and a bezel secured to the support and extending into sealing engagement With the periphery of said assembly.

5. The combination of a lighting unit comprising a reflector, lens and light source within the reflector, and a mounting therefor comprising a cup-shaped member extending-z' over the reflector and` having a spherical seatingV4 surface' having its center substa-nti'ally` on the reileotor axis, a ring overlapping the front4 edge of the` unit, means for securing the' ring tothe cup-shapedA member and clamping. the unit between them1 to.

form a, subassembly,. a1 supportzfori the subas'- sembly having' an annular seat? withirr which the spherical seating surface'r of! th'ecup-shaped member is engagedv to provide anniversal joint, means yieldingly urging the subassembly into engagement withthe supporti ati one-side; adjustable means oonnecting the'-subassembl'y and the support at the other .sid'e to. permit' aiming. ofthe lighting unit, means yieldingly urging the sub"-V assembly intov engagement with the support at a. point substantially midway between said last-f named` sides, and adjustable means connecting the subassembly` and the supporty oppositel saidl last-named point to permitaiming of the light'-r ing unit in another plane.

6; The combination'r of a. lighting uniti comprising a reiiector,A lens. and? light. source within theI reflector, and a'. mounting'therefor compris-- ing a cup-shapedmember extendingover the reect'or andi having: a. spherical seating surface having itsl center substantially' onthe reflector axis, a ring overlapping the front edge of theV unit, means for securing the ring t'o'- the cupshaped member'and clamping: the'. unit between them to form a subassembl'y, ai support' for the subassembly having an annular seat Within which the spherical seatingi surface of theA cupshaped member is'engagedf to providea universaly joint, means yieldinglyr urging the subassembly` into engagement' withY the?. support' at. one side,

adjustable means connecting:A the subassemblyf ng means comprisingv a pair ofv tension springs.

having onepair of: ends: adjacent. each other and the other pair spaced apart to steady' the unit in place.

'7. The combination. of. alightingl unit comprising a reflector, lens and: lightsourcevvithin the reflector, anda mounting'. therefor comprising a cup-shaped member extending.' over the reflector and having a spherical seating. surface having its center substantiallyN onthe' reflector axis, a ring overlapping., the front edge. of the unit,

means for securing; the. ring.- tov the cup-shaped" member and clamping; theiunit'; betweem them to form a subassembly, al. support.-` forA` the subassembly comprising: a' cup-shaped` member having a rolled brim' surrounded' by an annular chan-- nel; said brim constituting' an annular seat with which the spherical seating surface of the cupshaped member isengaged to provide a univer-- sal' joint, means housed in said channel yieldingly urging the subassembly into engagement withthesupport atone side and adjustable means housed in said. channel at thel other side`- connecting the subassembly and the support to permit aimingoff the lighting unit.

8. The combination of a lighting unit comprising a reector, lens and light source Within the reilector, anda mounting therefor comprising a cup-shaped member extending over the reflector l andv having a: spherical seating surface having its center substantially on the reflector axis, a ring overlapping the front edge of the unit, means for securing the' ring to the cup-shaped member and clamping the unit between them tok form a subassembly, a support for the subassembly comprising a cup-shaped member having a' rolled brim surrounded by an annular channel, said brim constituting' an annular seat with whichV the spherical seating surface of the cupshaped member is engaged to provide a universal' joint, means housed in said channel yieldingly urging the subassembly into engagementV with the support at one side, adjustable means housed in said channel at the other side connecting the subassembly and the support to permit aiming of the lighting unit, and a headlight connector engaged with said unit and housed within' said cup.

9; The combination of a lighting'unit comprising areector, lens andv light source Within the reflector, and a mounting therefor comprising a cup-shaped member extending over the reflector and having a spherical seating surface having' its center substantially on the reflector axis, a ring overlapping the front edge of the unit, means for securing the ring to the cup-shaped member and clamping, the unit between. them to forma subassembly, a support for the subassembly comprising a cup-shaped memberhaving arolledv brim surrounded` by an annular. channel', said brimy constituting an annular seatiwth which the spherical seating surface of the cupshaped member is engagedV to provide .a univer.- sal joint, means housed in said channel yieldingly urging the` subassembly into engagement. with the support at one side, adjustable means housed in said channel. at the other side connecting the subassembly'and the support to permit' aiming of the lighting unit, a headlight connector engaged with said unit and housed Withinvk said cup, and a bezel secured to the support and extending into sealing engagement. with the periphery of said assembly.

HOWARD C.

ROBERT D. WINKELMEYER. 

